Multiple stage thread processing reel



Sept. 9, 1952 A. COREY MULTIPLE STAGE THREAD PROCESSING REEL- 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed Nov. 20, 1947 muv LOR/N A. COREY INVENTOR BY M {TM ATTORNEY 1 D 9, 1952 L. A. COREY 2,609,588

MULTIPLE STAGE THREAD PROCESSING REEL Filed Nov. 20, 1947 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 LORlN A. Comsr INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 9, 1952 Lorin A. Corey, Cleveland Heights, hio, assignor to Industrial Rayon Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application November 20, 1947, Serial No. 787,245 2 Claims. (01. 28-713) This invention relates to thread advancing reels upon which a plurality of individual processing steps on a thread or the like can be performed while the thread passes over the reel inc. general unbroken helix. More particularly the invention relates to a thread advancing reel whereon steps such as stretching or shrinking can be effected over a prolonged length of a reel having a plurality of sections without appreciable distortion of the thread helix or of the sectionalized bars of the reel.

'Advantageously the reel of this invention embodies the principle disclosed in the Knebusch Patent 2,210,914 which is particularly adapted in the manufacture of rayon yarn, thread, etc. by

the continuous process where the reel members comprising the reel are arranged to rotate on axes that are eccentric to each other, and where they occupy substantially the same space. Thread or the like is advanced over the periphery of such a reel through the cooperation of a plurality of bar members which form the peripheries of the two reel members. Generally, a reel haidng only two reel members has been adapted to the performance of a single processing step. 'For the performance of a plurality of steps it is advantageous to have a reel capable of accommodating such a plurality of steps. The length of .a two-element reel is limited by the relationship between the reel bar members which would interfere if extended too far. For example, with two-member reels where a stretching or shrinking operation such a step ordinarily was performed on a separate reel and then the thread was transferred through space Y to the stretching reel. Where the thread has to travel through the space between two reels prior to a further immediate treatment for instance, in a softening and stretching. sequence, the thread would have the tendency to dry and, as a result, some of the effectiveness of the prior treatment would be lost. Also, stretching or shrinking imparts stresses in the bar members of a two memb-er reel, the stretching of the thread having a tendency to destroy the eccentric rela- 'tionship between the bars to thus stop thread travel.

Stretching is advantageously effected on such reels by flaring the bar members. Under certain circumstances a two element single stage reel must be flared considerably to provide for a suilicient stretch; however, because of such flaring the threads will sometimes slip, bunch up 2 and thus not advance over the reel. Thus it is desirable to stretch or shrink thread gradually over a reel having :a required length. I

This invention advantageously provides for a reel having a required length whereon stretching, shrinking, and-other processing steps can be performed on the thread in a sequence of operations without distorting either the thread helix, or the reel members comprising the reel. The reel comprises a continuous concentric reel member supported at each end and a plurality of shorter eccentric reel members having substantially full bar support positioned in an end-to-end relation on axes that permit the transfer of the thread helix from the one eccentric member to the next succeeding eccentric member with a minimum of thread helix distortion. The reel processing sections are determined by the eccentric reel members whereon a processing step can be performed and, if necessary, the step can extend over more than one section. For stretching, the bar members can have a gradual flare extending over a plurality of sections if one section length is not suflicient, while for shrinking the reel diameter, of course, can be desirably decreased;

comprises positioning the, eccentric reel members in an end-to-end relation so that their axes are circularly arranged about the axis of the concentric reel member or in a manner so that their axes intersect. Further, to effect a smooth transfer of the thread helix from one section or eccentric member to another the thread-bearing members are desirably tapered at their transfer portions, and the tapered ends are made con-- tiguous for a portion of their lengths. The transfer points between each pair of contiguous bar members all lie in substantially the same vertical 7 desirable shape or contour to efi-ect stretching and shrinking of the thread or either step or any combination of steps that is required to bring out desired final yarn characteristics. Such a multiple stage reel is more thoroughly described in the following specification and the accompanying drawing where;

the reel in'partial cross section and elevation;

and, Figur'e'G is a further modification of the reel in partial section and elevation.

Referring to "the drawing there is shown in aeoass Figure 1 a reel that is adapted to perform at least two processing steps on thread or the like passing over its periphery. The reel comprises a plurality of reel members 10, H, and [2 whose peripheries are formed of pluralities of magnumnally extending bar members i4, l5, l6 respec tively. The bar members I and, lfi'are inter leaved with the bar members it and the total plurality of bar members occupy substantially the same circumferential area.

The sets of bar members I l, i5 cooperate with each other to advance thread lengthwise of the reel in a number of generally helical turns. As shown, the bar members is of the reel member 10' are of continuous length throughout the reel portions are made contiguous. This ar-nange-' ment permits the transfer of a thread helix from the one section of the reel to the next succeeding section with a minimum of distortion and disturbance.

The eccentric sleeve members are heldin the desired position by meansiof"serratibnsiion their ends. The serrations, as shown in Figure 4, also permit a close angular adjustment of the reel members. All members that are mounted about the sleevebushing 29 are thus locked. Sleeve ;?;l is locked to the support 21, and sleeve 30 is locked to the end serrated collar 38.

A collar "..."'3 9 iiaving a esscrew'ae which locks in to the shaifit'lil keeps'all of the aforesaid members in desired positions;

on one end of the shaft 13 there is mounted a driving gear 40. The driving gear 48 desirably contains a slip-clutch 42- which comes into use while the barmembers l5, it or the two other reel members H, 12 are of shorter lengths; however when combined their length substantially equal that of the bar members of the first reel member. Also, as shown, the shape of all of the bar membersis such so as to impart a stretch to the thread While it is" travelling over the reel periphery. The stretch is-imparted' to the thread when it is on the flared portion of the reel.

The first part of the reel or that part next to the flange 23 towhich the thread is first introduced' is-shown as being or a uniform diameter throughout its length. It could, of course, be

tapered fully or only'partially, the taper merging with the tapered forward portion of the reel;

In Figure 2 there is shown the advantageous positioning of the eccentri-creel members which section-alias the reel. The unbroken reel membei-l0',-that is the reel member having a continuous length, isconcentrically mounted about a shaft [8; The" bar members M are supportedby' Since the shaft i8 isdriven, there is positionedabout it a stationary sleeve bushing-29 one end of Flange 28 is which'abuts a collar 22 being part of the shaft.

Displacement of the-sleeve; is'prev'ented a sol lar 39" secured to the shaft rat the other'end.

About one end-of the sleeve EBthere is positioned thesta-tionaryfianged sleeve 21w On the. bush mg sleeve {29 there are positioned eccentric sleeve members 28, 3! whose axes are onset and aslew to the axis of'shaft i8 and thus'to the axis of the concentric reel member it; The eccentric sleeves "39, 3% support the sleeve bearings '33; 3 i

abou'twhich rotate the hub members 35, 36 carrying the bar members 85, lfi-which form the reel members H,- IZ. 1

n udina ex end. this i sb ar 1 nous length, said barmember's being-bra shape-- during periods of unusual torque requirements. The clutch is-att-ache'd to the shaft by means of a set screw threaded-through an extended-- portion of the'clutch' toform a hub to bear against the shaft l'3;

The reel of Figure 1 is adapted for the performance thereon of at least two processingsteps, one step being of a nature which may pre pare the thread or the like for a subsequent stretching operation. After the performance of such a processing step the thread is transferred without distortion to the next reel section where-- on it is stretched by 'the flared bar members; As shown, the diameter of the first reel section cola-- posed or a section of the barr'nembers' i4 armor} bar members i6 isthe same throughout itslength. For a longerstretching operation the taper of the reel tamer course,- eat-end over its entire length: There is shownin Figure ea modification Ora; reel having a peripheral shape thatpferniitsa shrinking of the thread; A i-ter a pred-etrm-irie'd shrinking has been effected-the thread i5 then r permitted to advancein a helix of the-same-di} am'eter; Ali of the thread bearing members; It, 15, it; havej'complementary configurations malt-E ing' the reel through any section substantially a- After a shrinking process the thread can beagain stretched if so clesiredi A rear {for effecting a shrink and then astretch is shownin are modificationof Figured. The thread shrinkin'g' or relaxing-step canb'e first; performed on a reel section oi a "decreasing diameter; then-the thread is transferred to'the nextsucc'eeding' section of the reel hav ng-an 'in'cre d larneter wl iere stretching w'llftali e Thusfithe'slrape of f the reel can be made to give any desired sequence of pr jcessing'ste'p's: which may involve stretching or shrinking or eitherjstepwithsome re'a m nsf is I 1,"; i .l g I, :7. In the'drawingthere has beensho'wn a reel 1 comprising two sec tions whereor'i' treatments tan be individualiz'ed. The advantageous -onstrue-' tion an d positioning of the eccentric members} however, will permit a reel having lengthliniiited only by physical limitations. A reelhaving sired can be constructed; The configuration-or the final ya'rrr characteristics desired.

I m; I v w .r 1; 15A multiple stage-thread pro'cessiri'g" rel comprising; areel member having a plurality the bar members may also be in accordance with that is adapted to effect a physical change in thread traveling over them, and at least two reel members in substantially an end-to-end relation each having a plurality of bar members interleaved with said bar members of said first reel member and rotating on axes that are eccentric to the axis of said first mentioned reel member, said eccentric :axes being arranged in an end-toend relation about the axis of the first reel member and at angles so that they intersect, the bar members of said two reel members in their combined length being substantially equal to the length of the bar members of said first reel member and their shape conforming to the shape of the bar members of said first mentioned reel member.

2. A multiple stag-e thread'processing reel comprising, a reel member of a varying diameter having a plurality of longitudinally extending bar members of continuous length, said bar members being of a shape that is adapted to effect a physical change in thread traveling over them, at least two end-to-end eccent-rioally positioned reel members also of varying diameters generally 1y positioned reel members having a periphery of a plurality of bar members, said bar members being interleaved with the bar members of said first reel member, said eccentric reel members being mounted for rotation on axes that are offset and askew to the ax-is of said first reel member, the said offset and askew axes being arranged about the axis of the first reel member in an end-to-end relation and at angles so as to intersect, and the end-to-end portions of the bar members of said eccentric reel members being contiguous.

LORIN A. COREY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 22,178 Oppenlaender Sept. 15, 1942 2,167,662 Lovett Aug. 1,1939 2,247,123 Furness June 24, 1941 2,255,017 Torren-ce Sept. 2, 1941 2,424,489 Moritz July 22, 1947 2,465,386 Mayner Mar. 29, 1949 

